WHL Morning Skate: Monday, April 8
NEED TO KNOW
– Everett and Kelowna closed out their respective series on Sunday night
– Tij Iginla tied a Rockets franchise record for most goals in a single playoff series with eight
– Round Two of the 2024 WHL Playoffs presented by Nutrien starts on Friday, April 12
RESULTS
Vancouver 0, Everett 5
EVT wins 4-1
Silvertips netminder Tyler Palmer dished a 25-save shutout to end Vancouver’s season in a decisive 5-0 victory. Vegas Golden Knights prospect Ben Hemmerling continued to pile up postseason points with a goal and an assist and defenceman Parker Berge tallied the series-winning goal.
THREE STARS
1- Ben Hemmerling, EVT
-1G, 1A
2- Caden Brown, EVT
-2A, +1
3- Tyler Palmer, EVT
-25/25 saves
Wenatchee 2, Kelowna 4
KEL wins 4-2
The big names came to play for the Rockets with the Wild determined to force a Game 7. Washington Capitals prospect Andrew Cristall and top 2024 NHL Draft prospect Tij Iginla found the back of the net to give the Rockets a 2-0 lead, and the duo combined for the game-winner early in the final frame. Kelowna was the highest-scoring team in Round One, finding the back of the net 25 times.
THREE STARS
1- Jari Kykkanen, KEL
-34/36 saves
-.944 save percentage
2- Andrew Cristall, KEL
-2G, 1A, +2
3- Tij Iginla, KEL
-1G, 2A, +2
WHL PLAYOFFS TOP PERFORMER- APRIL 7
The player of the night for Kelowna was clear.
Cristall clear, actually.
Kelowna Rockets alternate captain Andrew Crisall powered his team to a 4-2 win and Round One victory in Game 6 against the Wenatchee Wild with a two-goal, one-assist performance.
This marks Cristall’s first playoff multi-goal game.
He was named second star of the night for his efforts.
The Washington Capitals prospect opened the scoring on Sunday by blasting a perfect tee-up pass from Kayden Sadhra-Kang into the Wenatchee net.
With Kelowna leading 2-1 in the third period, Cristall converted a backhand feed from Tij Iginla for the eventual game-winning goal.
More Iggy/Cristall content?
You got it.
Iginla steals the puck and Cristall puts it away to give the Rockets some insurance in the third period!#FeedtheFuture | #2024NHLDraft | #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/ImE25qboDR
— The WHL (@TheWHL) April 7, 2024
ON TAP
Conference Semifinal action begins on Friday, April 12.
Every series schedule but one has been confirmed.
Saskatoon Blades vs. Red Deer Rebels
Prince George Cougars vs. Kelowna Rockets
Moose Jaw Warriors vs. Swift Current Broncos
Portland Winterhawks vs. Everett Silvertips
TBD
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